Program 101

What does this program do?
This program assists approved lenders in providing low- and moderate-income households the opportunity to own adequate, modest, decent, safe and sanitary dwellings as their primary residence in eligible rural areas. Eligible applicants may build, rehabilitate, improve or relocate a dwelling in an eligible rural area. The program provides a 90% loan note guarantee to approved lenders in order to reduce the risk of extending 100% loans to eligible rural homebuyers.

New or existing residential property to be used as a permanent residence. Closing cost and reasonable/customary expenses associated with the purchase may be included in the transaction

A site with a new or existing dwelling

Repairs and rehabilitation when associated with the purchase of an existing dwelling

Refinancing of eligible loans

Special design features or permanently installed equipment to accommodate a household member who has a physical disability

Reasonable and customary connection fees, assessments or the pro rata installment cost for utilities such as water, sewer, electricity and gas for which the buyer is liable

A pro rata share of real estate taxes that is due and payable on the property at the time of loan closing. Funds can be allowed for the establishment of escrow accounts for real estate taxes and/or hazard and flood insurance premiums

Essential household equipment such as wall-to-wall carpeting, ovens, ranges, refrigerators, washers, dryers, heating and cooling equipment as long as the equipment is conveyed with the dwelling

How do we get started?
To apply for this program, please contact a local mortgage lender. Applications must be submitted through an approved lender. If you are unable to find a participating lender, your state’s Guaranteed Loan Coordinator can help you find one.

Why does USDA Rural Development do this?
This program helps lenders work with low and moderate income families living in rural areas to make homeownership a reality. Providing affordable homeownership opportunities promotes prosperity, which in turn creates thriving communities and improves the quality of life in rural areas.

NOTE: Because citations and other information may be subject to change please always consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled "What Law Governs this Program?" You may also contact your local office for assistance.

Forms & Resources

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact their local mortgage lenders to inquire about applying for the guaranteed loan. USDA does not endorse any specific private sector lenders. This list of Nationally Approved Lenders is not inclusive of all participating lenders.

Income limits (pdf) are dependent upon location of the home, and the number of persons residing in the home.

USDA Rural Development does not directly offer workout plans to distressed homeowners in the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program as USDA is not a financial lending institution. We urge any customer with a guaranteed loan seeking assistance to contact their mortgage servicing lender immediately to determine their eligibility for potential work out options. Examples of work out options include but are not limited to: Informal Forbearance, Special Forbearance, Loan Modification, Special Loan Servicing and Pre-Foreclosure Sale. The customer service number for the servicing lender is typically included with the mortgage statement or at their online internet address.

Lenders: Guaranteed loan activity in California is processed through six offices throughout the state, and is divided by lender. All loan activity for a specific lender, regardless of the subject property's location, is processed through an assigned office. Below are contacts for each processing office, as well as a list of lenders served by that office. If not listed below, lenders should submit inquiries to grhloans@ca.usda.gov.